The Fire and the Veil (Veronica Barry Book 2) by Sophia Martin Read Free Book Online

Veronica,” she said, narrowing her eyes and swatting his arm.
    He grinned. “Too late, the nickname has stuck.”
    “Ugh!”
    “You’ll always be Ronnie to me!” he called after her as she scooped up her clothes and headed for the bathroom.

Chapter 5
    “He calls you what?” Melanie asked. It was Sunday morning and Veronica was at Melanie and Angie’s house for brunch. She had not spent another night with Daniel. She’d called and postponed their walk until Sunday afternoon, and he’d been very understanding.
    “Ronnie. Like Ronnie Specter.”
    “Who’s Ronnie Specter?” Mel asked as she flipped the two pancakes in her pan. Her curly, blonde hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail, and she was wearing sweats. Melanie weekend wear. She had such pretty blue eyes, though, Veronica thought she looked nice no matter what she wore. In the background Veronica could hear the shower going. Angie would be joining them shortly.
    “She was a singer, in the sixties. She sang ‘Be My Baby.’”
    “Oh yeah. I love that song. It’s a great song.”
    “Yeah. But nobody calls me Ronnie.”
    “Why not? I mean, it’s kind of a cute nickname.”
    Veronica sighed. “I don’t know. I had a friend for a little while, who called me that, and I thought… it’s complicated. Let’s just say it’s attached to some bad memories.”
    “Well, have you told him that?”
    “No,” Veronica said. “I don’t want to. I feel like every other thing out of my mouth is something to do with some emotional crisis I’m in. I want to just relax and not make such a big deal out of everything.”
    Melanie raised her eyebrows and cocked her head to the side. “Well, you might have to get used to him calling you Ronnie, then.”
    Veronica whimpered and dropped her face into her hands.
    “Hon, what else? Okay, I know you. What else is going on?” Melanie asked.
    “I don’t know. I’m just so nervous and I get freaked out about everything. And… and Mellie,” she said, dropping her voice even though the shower was still going, “I spent the night on Friday.”
    “WHAT?” The spatula clattered on the counter.
    “Uh…”
    “Veronica Barry. You spent the night?”
    “Lower your voice.”
    “You spent the night?” Mel whispered. “Are we talking about the same kind of spending the night that I wish Chris could do but that I won’t let him do unless Angie’s over at a friends’, which she hasn’t been in over a month ?”
    “Well, I didn’t sleep on the couch, if that’s what you mean,” Veronica said, noticing that the shower had stopped.
    “Don’t get flippy with me, missy—”
    “Flippant.”
    “Whatever. I want details, and I want them NOW. It’s been three years—”
    “Gee, I’d forgotten all about that.”
    “—three YEARS, Veronica. I was starting to think you were going to have a commitment ceremony with your vibr—”
    “Melanie!” Veronica shot a desperate glance at the kitchen door.
    “She won’t be down for at least another five minutes. Spill!”
    Veronica groaned.
    “Spill. It.”
    “Okay,” Veronica said, holding up a palm. “I didn’t plan it, alright?”
    “I know you didn’t or I would have heard about it,” Melanie said. “Right?”
    “Of course, Mel. Of course I’d tell you. I told you he was taking me out, didn’t I?”
    “You didn’t tell me where, though.”
    Veronica told her about Cafe San Paulo.
    “Oh. I see. Hot Latin music, some steamy dancing…”
    “Melanie…”
    “Admit it, the salsa dancing was hot.”
    “Well, yeah,” Veronica conceded. “And the margarita I inhaled didn’t hurt either.” Veronica explained about how awkward she’d felt, even later at the sushi restaurant.
    “Did you drink a bunch of sake?” Mel asked.
    “No, I had tea.”
    “ Tea? No wonder you were uptight, you were like, channeling Miss Marple or something.”
    “I don’t know, sake tastes like warmed up perfume to me.”
    “Oh my god, girl. You don’t know what